An injury scare for spearhead Jason Day was the last thing Australian golf needed on the eve of the 76th Masters.
But Australians will pin hopes on the old adage about being wary of the wounded golfer after last year’s runner-up Day appeared to aggravate a left foot injury before limping away from the Augusta National practice range.
The highest-ranked of the six Australians, world No.11 Day is desperate to tee it up in the year’s first major on Thursday and indicated the injury would not stop him.
“It’s nothing big and, at this stage, I still intend to play,” Day said.
“There was some discomfort but it would take a lot for me to miss a Masters.”
Day’s manager Bud Martin confirmed Day had arrived at Augusta National carrying an injury.
“Jason injured his left ankle and foot training last week but he is getting treatments from his trainer today and tomorrow,” Martin said. “We are optimistic Jason will be fine by Thursday.”
With concerns about 24-year-old Day, focus will fall more heavily on Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy as the quest to become the first Australian to win the Masters resumes.
Switching to a broomstick putter, Scott seemingly found the answer to his problems on Augusta National’s notoriously-difficult greens last year when tied second with Day behind South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel.
And Ogilvy also comes in with plenty of confidence to take from his history at the Masters.
The 2006 US Open champion has been inside the top 26 five times in his six Masters, never missing the cut, and his dazzling final round for fourth place last year was bettered only by Schwartzel’s.
Scott says despite the lengthy history of Australian near-misses at the Masters, which he’s now part of, he doesn’t feel the weight of a nation.
“I don’t feel too much pressure at all,” Scott said. “I’m certainly probably not considered one of the favourites.
“There are a lot of other guys who have been playing very well so far this year.
“But I’m playing well myself. My game is in great shape.
“One year, someone is going to get across the line. I hope it’s me this year.”
While he and his country have Masters records Australians can only envy, the legendary Gary Player agrees with Scott that there’ll be an Australian winner sooner rather than later.
Player was the first international to take the Masters title off the Americans in 1961 and won again in 1974 and 1978 before Trevor Immelman in 2008 and Schwartzel last year added to South Africa’s pride.
“I’m such a fan of Oz,” said Player. “I’ve been there 31 times, won the Australian Open a record number of times and I’ve travelled right through that country.
“I think it’s (not winning the Masters) just one of those things.
“I don’t really know how to explain, because you produce so many, many good players.
“But I believe you will have a champion soon.”
John Senden, Aaron Baddeley and amateur Bryden Macpherson round out the Australian tilt.
